Nikola Mirotic

Another draft person who rhymes with Bonnafin Bivony just tweeted that Nikola Mirotic could start for half the teams in the league right now, he is that good. Bulls got an absolute steal, IF he ever comes over.

Very interesting that he rates him that high and the fact that he said IF. I am not sure why he thinks it is unclear that Mirotic will ever make it over. I always thought it was pretty clear he would come over when Boozer is amnestied in '14.

I know he has been compared to Dirk but I have only seen highlights and like 8 minutes of in game action of him. I really liked what I saw but does anyone know about his defense, strength, and effort on that end?

Easy to get excited right now as a Bulls fan watching current team struggle to score every night, so this bit definitely did it for me. Rose - Mirotic two man game.......

To be exact, its more accurate comparison would be Toni Kukoc,
Its potential is very high (9 or 10), the defense tries but not a specialty in defensive, much like Dirk in this regard.
When he decides to go to the NBA, will be a candidate for ROY

It would be smart for him to come over when he is no longer bound by the rookie contract so instead of being paid like a mid-late 1st rounder, he could maybe get the MLE right off the bat.

I don't think he has the upside of Dirk, but he's really good and already one of the best players in Europe at the age of 21. The thing that Dirk has over him that gives him the massive edge is size and his un-blockable release, which allows him to post and get shots off from anywhere on the floor.

He still needs to get stronger but he's a smart defender with good feet and anticipation.

I may be wrong but I was under the impression your only option is to sign that rookie contract if you were indeed drafted in the first round. So, when and if he comes over he can only get a rookie contract. Like if Fran Vazquez came to the Magic he would get the rookie contract. Like I said, I could be wrong and by all means educate me if I am.

"a First Round Pick who does not sign with the Team that holds his draft rights for any portion of the three (3) Seasons following the NBA Draft in which he was selected (and who did not play intercollegiate basketball during such period) may enter into either (a) a Rookie Scale Contract in accordance with Section 1 above, or (b) if the Team has Room in excess of the applicable first-year Rookie Scale Amount, a Contract covering no fewer than three (3) Seasons that provides for Salary plus Unlikely Bonuses in the first Salary Cap Year up to the amount of the Team’s Room and increases or decreases in Salary and Unlikely Bonuses in subsequent Salary Cap Years"

That basically means that he is coming over in 2014 or 2015. He will be 23 or 24. He should be able to start right away and make an impact for the bulls. Hopefully they have the cap space to pay him more than the rookie contract because otherwise there will be problems and I have no idea what would happen then.

I really can't wait to see him in the NBA. I've seen a few of his games... the dude can flat out play. I was praying that Milwakee would end up with him, but Chicago ended up stealing him away instead :(

"To be exact, its more accurate comparison would be Toni Kukoc,
Its potential is very high (9 or 10), the defense tries but not a specialty in defensive, much like Dirk in this regard.
When he decides to go to the NBA, will be a candidate for ROY!

No way, most accurate comparison is Dirk, probably most accurete comparison in history of draft comparisons. Toni Kukoc and him are difrent by mile as playing styles

Unlike kukoc he is full time PF, and does not have playmaking skills Kukoc had or athleticisam of Kukoc

Small difrence betwen him and Dirk he is bit shorter and is not killer shooter like Dirk, but has better low post skills then Dirk. Good shooter, but not Dirk level. Not skilled as Scola under basket, but has some of those old school skills Scola uses